Coronation Streer star Michelle Keegan reveals she can't understand why people want to know about her private life

ANOTHER awards ceremony, another day in the headlines for beautiful Coronation Street star Michelle Keegan.

ANOTHER awards ceremony, another day in the headlines for beautiful Coronation Street star Michelle Keegan. The actress is well used to being photographed and written about.

She’s on the crest of a wave after collecting a Bafta as part of the triumphant Corrie cast last Sunday and picking up the Sexiest Female award at the British Soap Awards in April for the fourth year in a row.

But all this publicity is not always so glamorous, or welcome.

The 24-year-old’s relationship with singer Max George of The Wanted, has been the subject of speculation since he announced, while on tour in America, that they were no longer engaged.

Although it would appear they are still together as a couple, she is saying nothing about her relationship and can’t understand why anyone is interested.

She said: “Sometimes I do find it difficult just because I still can’t get my head round why people want to know about my personal life and follow me around.

“I don’t think I’ll ever get used to it. I don’t know if it’s starting off at a later age than other actors. I’ve worked in an airport, in retail, in shops. I used to be a waitress. Now I’m in Corrie. I still go to the same places I always did. I go to the same pubs and have had the same group of friends around me since I was at school.

“The only thing that’s really changed is my job but, when I go home at night, it’s back to normal.

“But you still get people asking questions about your personal life, following you around, asking people questions and I do find that difficult sometimes.” It’s about the only downside in Corrie, which she joined in 2007 as brash Tina McIntyre.

Speaking the day after the night before, having just returned to Manchester from London after scooping the Best Soap Bafta, she doesn’t even have a hangover.

She said: “We had a great night and the crowning glory was the Bafta. It just proves what a year of hard work and dedication can do, not just from the cast but the crew, writers, production team. It was a major pat on the back for everybody involved.”

It’s a high that leads to the show’s explosive plot, which marks the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and is set around the wedding of Weatherfield royalty Rita Sullivan, played by Barbara Knox.

Tina is set to be a bridesmaid but as the nuptials are about to be played out, she becomes embroiled in a showdown with loan shark Rick Neelan when she discovers he has forced her boyfriend Tommy into another job.

She tries to get rid of Rick once and for all by swiping his expensive stash of drugs from Tommy and orders the villain to meet her if he wants them returned. When Rick turns up, however, he has bundled Rita into his car and threatens to drive her into the canal unless Tina returns his merchandise.

Michelle said: “She hasn’t thought it through. She’s making it up as she goes along to make him leave them alone, which is fine until she sees he’s got Rita.

“She didn’t see it coming. Rick’s not kidding around and she’s scared for Rita.”

The dramatic showdown was filmed away from the Street set and Michelle admits it has been a world away from the usual woes of Weatherfield.

She said: “It was really good to film and it felt like a movie, the big stand-off, the police, the drugs, a kidnap. We needed a big finale and Rita’s wedding tied in with the Jubilee was perfect for it. We had to do loads of stunts and I remember going down to the canal when it was freezing and the car I was in was about to topple in, it was so windy. We had great fun and I just hope it looks good on the screen.”

If it had a downside, it was that the actress missed out on the show’s jubilee street party.

Her co-stars had a ball dressing up, including John Michie as Tom Jones, Michelle Collins as Dusty Springfield and Shobna Gulati as Beyonce.

She said: “I was a bit gutted. I can’t complain because I was Rita’s bridesmaid but I really, really wanted to dress up. Chris Fountain – who plays Tommy – and I thought we might do a double act and maybe go as Sonny and Cher, or Danny and Sandy out of Grease.”

She was dressed to thrill at the Bafta ceremony at least with her choice of gown commented upon and marked by fashion watchers. It is something else she has come to terms with but lets it wash over her with a great big “whatever”.

She said: “You do think, ‘What if everyone starts slagging it off?’ but if I feel comfortable in a dress I go for it. If I get good comments, great, if they are negative then there’s nothing I can do about it by that time because I have already worn it. I don’t take it too seriously.”

Mixing with the great and the good of the TV world hasn’t turned her head either. With her focus very much out in the real world, she is in no hurry to move on from Weatherfield.

She said: “I grew up watching Corrie and my family are big fans, so I’m really lucky. People always ask me if I want to leave Corrie yet but I’m still really enjoying it. I honestly haven’t thought about it. But if I do leave, I just want to continue acting, it’s a job I love.”